DNA clears Detroit-area man in prison for rape, other crimes

Man represented by Cooley Law School Innocence Project

7:31 PM,
Jun. 20, 2014

Donya Davis takes a moment to hug and hold his daughters Armani Beasley, 13, left, and Neveah Davis, 8, of Detroit after he was released from the Wayne County Jail on Friday. The Thomas M. Cooley Law School Innocence Project pushed for his DNA test, which excluded Davis from the rape.

Written by

Eric D. Lawrence
Gannett Michigan

A man who spent almost seven years in prison in the rape of a Detroit woman has been granted a new trial based on DNA test results.

Donya Davis, 36, was released from the Wayne County Jail today, according to the Thomas M. Cooley Law School group that requested the DNA testing. The planned release follows rulings today by Wayne County Circuit Judge Ulysses Boykin, granting a new trial and setting bail at 10% of $75,000.

"New DNA testing of biological evidence collected in the 2006 rape case points to another man and excludes Donya Davis," according to a news release on behalf of the Thomas M. Cooley ...